Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Place Mat Mania

Hi Knitters,

My family is one for place mats. They love to have place mats on the kitchen table for every meal. Unfortunately, I have only two sets of not very appealing place mats for them to use. Plus, they are constantly in the wash as place mats tend to be.

By the way, did you think "place mat" was one word or two? I thought it was one but wasn't sure so I started looking around. In ads for Macy's and other places it is one word, placemat. Interestingly enough, in the dictionary it is two words so that is what I will use:

placematnounamatservingastablelinenforanindividualplacesetting

I have been wanting to sew my own set of place mats forever. After finishing my large quilt and refreshing my quilting memory I got the inspiration to come up with my own version of a quilted place mat. I didn't use a pattern for this at all in case anyone is wanting to ask for the pattern.

I have finished four so far. Ideally I need at least ten or twelve for my family and guests. We could never really have enough with some always being in the laundry so I will keep plugging away.I have collected some fat quarter fabric bundles over the past few years and they are making some pretty charming place mats if I do say so myself.Each mat is reversible and has different quilting lines that are completely random and not measured or marked. I just go at it.I spent a little time making a huge roll of binding by cutting strips of various fabric pieces and scraps and sewing them together to have on hand. The mismatched fabric makes for a fun edging. I love that.The whole process is free and easy. I am using one of my store-bought place mats as a size guide. I just lay it on top of the fabric and cut away. There is basically no measuring whatsoever involved. I love the unplanned project so much.Here are two more waiting to have the binding hand-stitched and then they will be ready for use.

I think I will put up a tutorial for this project at some point soon. It is fun and quick and I am hoping to get some made for holiday gifts for this Christmas season. You might want to do this, too.On the knitting front, I am working away on this baby blanket in Outer in the Cedar colorway. It is turning out really great.Also, I just posted a new free pattern on Spud says! for this cute hat called, Go Team! I sized it for young children through adult sized heads! This is another perfect gift idea and let me tell you the teens LOVE this style hat. You won't go wrong gifting this one.

The placemats are great and I love that they are not all the same ... I always struggle with matching ... you are helping me look outside the box!! And the hat is great ... have emailed it to my grandson to see if he likes it for his Christmas hat ... am hoping so!!

The color of the Outer yarn reminds of the color of the yarn called Vicuna. You say your place mat lines are random, but in the pics your sewing looks crisp and clean. Last night I just happened to make the rooster bag like yours. FUN!!

Susan :O) the mats are so fun and bright and cheery! Lucky ohana. Loved the story about Peachy's sister and the hat. Glad there was lots of love and appreciation for it. That would be an awesome tradition. You rock!

Those.....are....adorable!!!!! I mean total cuteness. I want to make some. NOW! But I have to go make bean soup for dinner instead and then finish binding off the shoulders of my dad's vest so I can block it tonight. I really need to go do these things, but I really want to make PLACE MATS!!! So, so, so cute!

what a lovely yet so simple idea to use the extra quarter quilting pieces to make placemats (I followed your lead and used the one word route ;) ) I would love to see how you do it ! And the hat at the end looks again, so simple, and adorable. Great quick and easy Christmas Gifts !!! Genius

Adorable! I love the place mats. You have a real gift for picking the right fabrics/colors.I have been wanting to learn how to quilt, and this would make a fantastic first project. Thank you for the inspiration!

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